The molar Kerr constants, apparent dipole moments, etc., of alkyl nitrites as solutes

Abstract

The apparent dipole moments of ten, and the apparent molar Kerr constants of seven, alkyl nitrites as solutes in carbon tetrachloride at 25º are recorded and discussed in terms of assumptions that the dissolved species are either (a) mixtures of two planar forms in which the R-O and K=O bonds have an s-cis : s-trans relationship, or (b) mixtures of many non-planar rotamers, definable by angles of twist 4 between the planes containing the R-O and S=O units. On basis (b) the observed properties are average values, theoretically predictable only when potential energies as functions of ø become known. "Effective" conformations for MeO-N=O and Me₃CO-N=O having ø values of 98º and 146.5º can be inferred from the ∞(_mK₂) values found for these esters.